The 22 match officials for the Rugby World Cup 2025 have been announced. The team, made up of 10 referees, six assistant referees and six Television Match Officials, represent 12 nations with more than 351 test appearances between. The show kicks off in Sunderland on 22 August with the final in Twickenham on 27 September.
The refereeing team is headed by the four most-capped female referees in test history – Sara Cox (England), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Hollie Davidson (Scotland) and Aurélie Groizeleau (France). Nine of the panel were involved in the 21 (played in 22) World Cup in New Zealand.
RWC Match official panel
Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Clara Munarini (Italy), Kat Roche (USA).
Assistant referees: Maria Heitor (Portugal), Jess Ling (Australia), Amelia Luciano (USA), Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe, reserve referee), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales), Holly Wood (England).
Television Match Officials: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Rachel Horton (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Matteo Liperini (Italy), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Ian Tempest (England).
Highlights:
- Twelve nations represented on panel (Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, USA, Wales, Zimbabwe).
- Nine of the 22 officials were involved in the last Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, eight of the referees and one TMO.
- Kat Roche (USA) was an assistant referee at New Zealand 2021 but has been named among the 10 referees for Women’s RWC 2025.
- Two of the referees were involved in the last Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in England in 2010, albeit in different roles with Sara Cox (England) acting as assistant referee for one play-off match and Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) playing two matches for the Springbok Women.
- A third official – TMO Andrew McMenemy (Scotland) – was also involved in 2010 as a referee and assistant referee before acting as TMO for the final.
- This will be a fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup for Cox, the English official having been an assistant referee in 2010 and 2014 and referee in 2017 and 2021.
- Maria Heitor becomes the first official from Portugal to be selected for a Rugby World Cup.
- Fellow assistant referee Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) is the first African female from outside of South Africa to officiate at a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
- Assistant referee, Jess Ling from Australia is the youngest member of the panel at 22.
Announcing the team, Chair of the Emirates World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee and Executive Board member, Su Carty said, “I would like to extend my congratulations to the 22. They have been selected because they are the best of the best, a team that supports and encourages each other on and off the field. The journey to this point has been challenging, rewarding and the realisation of a career’s work.
“Together, we are striving to create an environment where the world’s best players can showcase the very best of our sport on the world’s biggest stage, inspiring a whole new generation to get into rugby. I know that our team will do their families, their national unions and their sport proud in a little under 100 days.”
World Rugby Women’s High Performance Referee Manager, Alhambra Nievas added, “I’m proud to say that this is, without doubt, the strongest and most experienced match official team that has ever been selected for a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“Eight of the 10 referees were involved in the last tournament in New Zealand, while two of our TMOs also have previous Women’s Rugby World Cup experience. It’s exciting to have such experience alongside young and talented officials as we look to the future.”
The appointments for the pool phase will be announced in early August.
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